Thursday, August 28, 2014

Dr. Hoa Tong, on a visit to Burundi this summer and after being
warmly greeted the people of the Republic of Burundi, said "I immediately
became a student of Burundi's government, landscape, climate, markets and
especially the people."

He went on to say, "I learned that the government of Burundi is
progressive, with their President Pierre Nkurunziza, implementing policies that
unite the people to take pride in their nation and help build it. The markets
are primed and a rich incubator for exponential growth. The Burundians are
gentle, kind, honest and helpful people - with resilient hopes and powerful
dreams. In spite of their tragic past, they are determined not to let it hold
back their bright future. They are united in this effort to change national
mind sets and embrace the good things God and their own dreams would bring to
pass for them."

Dr. Tong observed, "Burundians loving one another seems
the only deterrent from repeating the mistakes of their fathers." He went
on to say, "They are discovering love is the only force that would empower
and move them to transform their beloved nation."

The Golden Rule International Award is now
established in 120 nations of the world. This organization seeks out top
achievers that live the Golden Rule in their everyday life. This is a new
global ethic that the leadership of the Golden Rule International Award,
Patron, former President of Ethiopia, Girma Wolde and Ambassador Mussie Hailu
has embraced and is promoting globally. Golden Rule International is also
affiliated with the Interfaith Peace-Building Initiative (IPI), African Union,
the United Nations as well as the United Religions Initiative (URI).

We at the Interfaith Peace-Building Initiatives (IPI)
Golden Rule International Awards Presentation, at the Gerald R. Ford
Presidential Library and Museum, are extremely honored to gather top
humanitarians from all over the world. In 120 nations we are in the process of
establishing April 5th as the Golden Rule Day International. This is
a day in which there is no violence in the name of religion or culture in the
world. We are pursuing this as a Resolution at the United Nations.

It gives me great honor to present Harrypersad
Maharaj, the President of the Inter-Religious Organization of Trinidad and
Tobago. This is the only country I have ever been to that has harmony among
their religions and cultures. Harrypersad Maharaj has been a champion voice for
peace within Trinidad and Tobago. His great leadership is now being recognized
globally.

As well as the presentation of the Golden Rule
International Award, the President and Founder of iChange Nations, Ambassador
Clyde Rivers surprised Harrypersad Maharaj with the iChange Nations Global
Leadership Award, for his work to unify the different cultures in Trinidad and
Tobago and around the world. Ambassador Clyde Rivers said of Harrypersad
Maharaj, “He will be known in the nations of the world as a man of peace. This
will be his legacy to mankind.” Two of the past recipients of this award are,
the President of the Taino Nation, Robert Mukaro and the President of the
Cherokee Indian Nation, Bill Baker. These are two of many great men and women
recipients. To see unity and diversity celebrated at the Gerald R. Ford
Presidential Library is a great day for the world. President Ford was a man
that believed in unity and diversity so it is not by chance that we are at this
Presidential Museum presenting these honors to our great global leaders.

Friday, August 1, 2014

President Pierre Nkurunziza of the Republic of
Burundi Africa and his work with Ambassador Mussie Hailu welcome religious
freedom in Burundi. The President understands the importance of religious
freedom as a human right and honors the people of Burundi by being an advocate
for religious freedom.

Ambassador Clyde Rivers states,
“It is a day to rejoice when a country has a president that honors their freedoms
and is a living example of the Golden Rule, ‘Treat others the way you want to
be treated.’ The example of President Nkurunziza and his work in Burundi is why
there is such transformation.”